We have to improve – Mancini wants more from European champions Italy ahead of Spain rematch

Roberto Mancini has insisted Italy “have to improve” ahead of their Nations League semi-final with Spain, despite the Azzurri winning Euro 2020 in July.

Italy are also unbeaten in their last 37 games – a world record – with 30 wins and seven draws across all competitions and friendlies since October 2018.

Mancini’s men bested Spain in a penalty shoot-out in the last four of the European Championships after a 1-1 draw in regular time in a fixture that Spain dominated, enjoying 71 per cent possession.

The former Manchester City and Inter head coach believes Spain remain the superior side in terms of keeping the ball and feels his team can still get better in that department.

“We suffered in that ,” Mancini said. “Spain put us in trouble in possession, they have been doing it for 20 years and on this, they are ahead of us.

The boss at San Siro #ITAESP #NationsLeague #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/8Vs7lK0WkW Italy (@Azzurri_En) October 5, 2021

“We have to improve this game situation, be faster. We have to improve, we also have young players who have to play important competitions. We have 14 important months and we have to play better and better, offensive and balanced.

“[The Nations League] is an important competition. It is clear that it comes after a European Championship and preparing in such a short time is not easy but they are two matches among the four best in Europe and we want to improve, that’s for sure.”

Mancini also responded to Luis Enrique’s claim that the Azzurri’s unbeaten streak would end eventually, agreeing with his counterpart.

“We always want to win, then we know it will depend on us,” Mancini continued. “[Enrique’s] right, sooner or later [we will lose]. We would like to go on like this until December 2022, but we know it won’t be that simple.”

If Italy best Spain again on October 6, they will face one of Belgium or France in the Nations League final at San Siro on October 10.